Parents in virus-hit districts say no to reopening of schools

A one-day feedback programme to consult parents on the decision of reopening schools for students from Classes 9 to 12 across the State received a mixed response with most of them in the northern and western districts being reluctant to send their wards as COVID cases continue to be a concern.

However, parents in southern districts of Tamil Nadu were more forthcoming about sending their children back to school. “As per the government guidelines, we collected feedback from parents of children studying in our school to understand their concerns. A majority of them were not willing to send their children in fear of contracting the virus,” Sujatha, principal, Vaels International school, Chennai, said. Echoing similar views, Tamil Nadu Students Parents Welfare Association president S Arumainathan, representing both government and private institutions, claimed about 75 per cent of the parents in the city, suburbs have requested that schools could be reopened in January 2021 provided availability of vaccine or restoration of normalcy. “Besides, many of them, who were confused, let the school management take a decision,” he added. An assistant headmaster at a government school in Minjur, Tiruvallur district said that more than 80 per cent of parents were unwilling to send their wards back to schools.

“They were scared as many doubt whether their children would maintain social distancing norms inside the classroom,” he said adding that a few parents also raised concern that senior citizens, who live with them, would be at high risk if children go to schools.However, DC Elangovan, secretary, Federation of Associations of Private Schools in Tamil Nadu, the forum which is also active in southern districts, said that more than 70 per cent of parents were willing to send their children as the active cases have drastically reduced in the southern region.